Why Chinese firms view Dubai as a launchpad for global growth

Chinese business leaders have underscored Dubai’s strategic role as a global hub for expansion, highlighting the emirate’s competitive advantages and investment-friendly environment as key factors driving their growth in the Middle East and beyond.

Senior executives from three leading Chinese firms – Meorient, Tuya Smart, and United Imaging Healthcare – emphasised Dubai’s significance as a launchpad for global business ahead of the Dubai Business Forum – China, organised by Dubai International Chamber from August 21 to 22.

The event serves as a platform to deepen economic ties between Dubai and China, while showcasing the emirate as a prime destination for Chinese enterprises seeking global growth.

Gavil Fang, CEO of Meorient, the exhibition company listed on China’s stock exchange and the host of the annual China Homelife Dubai Exhibition, described Dubai as the “exhibition capital of the Middle East and key markets in Asia and Africa.”

Fang elaborated, “Dubai’s strategic location offers Chinese businesses unparalleled access to global markets, making it the best choice for companies looking to expand into the wider MENA region. Our partnership with Dubai Chambers has been instrumental in helping us navigate market trends and shifting trade dynamics.”

Alex Yang, co-founder and COO of Tuya Smart, a global cloud platform service provider that recently expanded into Dubai, lauded the emirate’s inclusive and synergistic ecosystem. “Dubai has cultivated an environment that fosters innovation and collaboration over the past few decades,” Yang noted.

“The Smart Living and ESG principles in the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) align with our values, reinforcing our confidence in collaborating with Dubai. We believe Dubai has the potential to nurture the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, establish industry benchmarks, and shape best practices globally,” he added.

Dr Jusong Xia, president of International Business at United Imaging Healthcare, highlighted the favourable business environment and supportive policies as key factors that attracted his company to establish its regional headquarters in Dubai. “Dubai offers efficient registration processes for the healthcare industry, and the supportive environment has been crucial in our decision-making,” he said. “The network of relationships we’ve built here is foundational to our expansion efforts and future investments in research and development, advancing healthcare innovation in the region.”

Building stronger ties with Chinese firms

The Dubai Business Forum – China, themed ‘China, Dubai and Beyond: Igniting Global Trade and Investment,’ aims to bolster cooperation between Dubai and Chinese public and private sector entities. The forum will explore promising opportunities in key sectors such as green technology, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and renewable energy, aligning with the objectives of Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33).

As part of its global outreach, Dubai International Chamber operates three representative offices in China – Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong – which play a critical role in boosting trade and investment flows between China and Dubai. These offices also support Dubai-based companies seeking to expand into the Chinese market.

Chinese businesses continue to view Dubai as an ideal launchpad for global expansion, with the emirate offering the strategic advantages, supportive policies, and collaborative environment needed to thrive on the international stage.

UAE-China trade relations

In other news, the trade and investment relationship between the UAE and China is going strong, spanning various sectors, including crude oil, petrochemicals, and artificial intelligence.

In 2022, non-oil bilateral trade between the UAE and China reached approximately Dh264.2bn which grew to Dhs296bn in 2023, as per UAE government data.

Chinese investments in the UAE grew by more than 16 per cent annually last year to $1.3bn.

On the other hand, UAE investments in China surged by 120 per cent, accounting for 90 per cent of all Arab investments in China.

In May, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Chinese President Xi Jinping oversaw the signing of multiple agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various sectors.